TWI627143B - Glass plate manufacturing device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a glass sheet manufacturing apparatus and method capable of producing a high-quality glass sheet even when the conveying speed of the glass ribbon is increased. The position of both ends in the width direction of the glass ribbon (1) is detected by a position detector (130). The position adjusting portion (94) of the hemming device (90) is controlled based on the information of the positions of the both end portions in the width direction of the detected glass ribbon (1) so as to break the edge portion of the glass plate (2) (2B) The position of the hemming unit (92) is changed following the change in the width and/or width of the glass ribbon (1).

Description

Glass plate manufacturing device and method

The present invention relates to a glass sheet manufacturing apparatus and method.

There is known a method of producing a glass sheet from which a glass ribbon (a ribbon-shaped glass plate) is continuously formed from a molten glass, and the obtained glass ribbon is cut to produce a single glass sheet.

The thickness of the side portion of the glass ribbon (the portion of the two edges in the width direction) is not uniform, and thus the side portion of the glass sheet cut from the glass ribbon is cut to become a product or a semi-finished product.

The cutting of the side portion is performed by cutting the cutting line (scribe line) at the boundary between the edge portion and the product portion (which is a part of the product or the semi-finished product), and breaking the edge portion along the cutting line. The process of breaking the side portion is performed using a hemming device and is carried out on a conveyance line of the glass ribbon. Therefore, if the width of the glass ribbon changes to the width of the crucible and/or the glass ribbon, the hemming operation cannot be performed at an appropriate position, and there is a problem that the glass sheet is damaged (injury and damage in appearance).

Patent Document 1 describes a technique for detecting a positional shift of both ends in the width direction of a glass ribbon, and correcting the position of the glass ribbon in the floating kiln according to the positional shift amount, thereby controlling the glass ribbon. Hey.

[Previous Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-114041

In addition, in order to improve productivity, it is necessary to increase the conveying speed of the glass ribbon.

However, the more the conveying speed of the glass ribbon is increased, the more difficult it is to control the glass ribbon. Therefore, in the method of controlling the glass ribbon and improving the folding operation, there is a drawback that productivity cannot be improved.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the invention is to provide a glass sheet manufacturing apparatus and method capable of producing a high-quality glass sheet even when the conveying speed of the glass ribbon is increased.

The means to solve the problem are as follows.

The first aspect is a glass sheet manufacturing apparatus, comprising: a transport unit having a transport path extending in a longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon, transporting the glass ribbon in a longitudinal direction along the transport path, and transporting the glass cut from the glass ribbon a longitudinal cutting line processing unit that processes a longitudinal cutting line along the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon at both edges in the width direction of the glass ribbon by the glass ribbon being conveyed along the transport path, and by the longitudinal cutting line The glass ribbon is divided into a product portion and a side portion; the transverse cutting line processing unit processes the transverse glass ribbon in the width direction of the glass ribbon in the glass ribbon conveyed along the transport path; The glass ribbon in the transport path is broken along the transverse cutting line to cut the glass sheet from the glass ribbon; the hemming unit breaks the glass sheet that is transported along the transport path along the vertical cutting line to separate the side from the glass The product part of the board is separated; the position adjusting unit moves the hemming unit in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the glass plate to adjust the setting position of the hemming unit; and the detecting unit detects the edge along the conveying path The position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon during conveyance; and the control unit that changes the position of the edge portion of the glass ribbon in accordance with the change in the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon, according to the detection result of the detecting unit And control the position adjustment unit.

According to this aspect, the glass ribbon is conveyed in the longitudinal direction along the transport path, and the longitudinal slitting line processing unit is used to process the longitudinal edges in the width direction at both edges in the transport. Cut the line. Thereby, the product portion and the side portion are divided by the vertical cutting line. Moreover, the horizontal cutting line is processed in the width direction by the horizontal cutting line processing unit during conveyance. The glass ribbon on which the vertical cutting line and the horizontal cutting line are processed is broken along the transverse cutting line by the horizontal breaking unit during conveyance on the conveying path. Thereby, the glass plate is cut from the glass ribbon. The glass plate cut out from the glass ribbon is conveyed directly along the transport path along the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon, and is broken along the vertical cutting line by the vertical breakage unit during the conveyance. Thereby, the side portion is separated from the product portion of the glass sheet.

Here, when the glass ribbon is twisted, the position of the glass sheet conveyed on the conveyance path changes (the position is shifted in the width direction), and the glass sheet cannot be appropriately broken by the hemming unit. Similarly, when the width of the glass ribbon changes, the positions of both end portions in the width direction of the glass sheet change, and the glass sheet cannot be appropriately broken by the hemming unit.

Therefore, the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus of this aspect is configured such that the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon is detected, and the position at which the hemming unit is placed changes in accordance with the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon. Thereby, even when the glass ribbon is twisted and/or the width is changed, the hemming unit can always be placed at an appropriate position, so that a stable hemming operation can be performed. As a result, a high quality glass plate can be produced. Further, the conveying speed of the glass ribbon can be increased as compared with the case of controlling the glass ribbon, so that the productivity of the glass sheet can be improved.

The second aspect is the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the transverse cutting line processing unit includes: a moving body that moves in a width direction of the glass ribbon; and a cutter that is disposed on the moving body and is pressed And the contact unit is disposed on the moving body, and moves along with the cutter to detect the end position in the width direction of the glass ribbon being conveyed on the transport path.

According to this aspect, the transverse cutting line is machined by a cutter that moves in the width direction of the glass ribbon. Further, the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon is detected by the detecting unit that moves together with the cutter. Thereby, the entire glass can be detected in the width direction of the transport path The position of the end of the ribbon allows easy detection of variations in the width of the ribbon and/or the width of the ribbon.

The third aspect is the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus of the second aspect, wherein the transverse cutting line processing unit further comprises: a guiding member that guides the cutter to land on the glass ribbon; and a guiding member position adjusting unit that The position at which the guide member is disposed is adjusted in such a manner that the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon changes.

According to this aspect, the guiding member that guides the cutter to land on the glass ribbon is included. The guiding member adjusts the setting position by following the guiding member position adjusting unit to follow the change in the width and/or width of the glass ribbon. That is, even when the glass ribbon is twisted and/or the width is changed, the installation position of the guide member is adjusted so that the guide member is always placed at a fixed position with respect to the glass ribbon. Thereby, the damage to the glass ribbon can be alleviated, and a high-quality glass plate without damage can be manufactured. Further, since the cutter moves on the guide member at the side portion having the unevenness, the cutter can be prevented from being damaged.

The fourth aspect is the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus of the third aspect, wherein the guiding member position adjusting unit comprises: a supporting unit that movably supports the guiding member in a moving direction of the cutter; the abutting member, which is abutted One end surface in the width direction of the glass ribbon; a connecting member that connects the abutting member and the guiding member; and a pressing unit that pushes the abutting member toward the glass ribbon.

According to this aspect, the position at which the guide member is disposed is mechanically changed in accordance with a change in the position of one end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon. Thereby, the guide member can follow the change in the width and/or the width of the glass ribbon with a simple configuration.

The fifth aspect is a glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, which further comprises: a cutter advance and retreat moving unit that moves the cutter forward and backward with respect to a main surface of the glass ribbon; and a cutter detecting unit that detects the glass Whether the cutter moving toward the other side of the belt in the width direction reaches the one side and passes through the one side; and the cutter presses the pressure control unit, and if the cutter is detected to reach the one side, the cutter is Press pressure to become the first The cutter advances and retracts the moving unit by pressure, and if it is detected that the cutter passes the one side, the cutter advances and retracts the moving unit so that the pressing force of the cutter becomes the second pressing force stronger than the first pressing force. .

According to this aspect, when the cutter moves in the width direction of the glass ribbon to process the horizontal cutting line, it is detected whether or not the cutter has reached the one side (the side on which the cutting side is started) and whether or not the side portion has passed. Then, the pressing force of the cutter is controlled based on the detection result. That is, when it is detected that the cutter has reached the one side, the pressing force of the cutter is controlled so as to be the first pressing force. The cutter is further moved, and when it is detected that the cutter passes through the one side portion, the pressing force of the cutter is controlled so as to be the second pressing force stronger than the first pressing force. Thereby, the cutter is landed on the guide member and the side portion with a relatively weak pressing force, and thereafter, the glass ribbon is pressed with a strong pressing force to process the transverse cutting line. By thus controlling the pressing force of the cutter, the damage to the glass ribbon can be alleviated, and the cutter can be prevented from being damaged.

The sixth aspect is the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus of the fifth aspect, wherein the cutter detecting unit comprises: a first cutter detecting unit that detects whether the cutter moving from one of the width directions of the glass ribbon to the other passes The first cutter detects a point and detects whether the cutter has reached the one side; and the second cutter detecting unit detects that the cutter moving from one of the width directions of the glass ribbon to the other passes the second cutter detection point And detecting that the cutter passes through one side; the cutter detecting unit is coupled to the guiding member and moves together with the guiding member.

According to this aspect, the first cutter detecting unit and the second cutter detecting unit detect whether or not the cutter has reached the one side and whether the side portion has passed. The first cutter detecting unit and the second cutter detecting unit move together with the guiding member, so that even when the glass ribbon is twisted and/or the width is changed, the cutter can be detected to have reached the one side and passed. The side.

The seventh aspect is the glass plate manufacturing apparatus of the fourth aspect, which further includes a cutter processing range setting unit that sets a processing start point and processing of the horizontal cutting line processed by the cutter At the end point, the cutter processing range setting unit changes the machining start point and the machining end point of the transverse cutting line processed by the cutter in accordance with the change in the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon, according to the detection unit. The machining result is set to the machining start point and the machining end point of the horizontal cutting line processed by the cutter.

According to this aspect, the machining start point and the machining end point of the transverse cutting line L processed by the cutter change in accordance with the change in the width and/or the width of the glass ribbon.

The eighth aspect is a method for producing a glass sheet, comprising the steps of: transporting a glass ribbon in a longitudinal direction along a transport path extending in a longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon, at both edges of the width direction of the glass ribbon The longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon is processed, and the glass ribbon is divided into a product portion and a side portion by a vertical cutting line, and the glass ribbon is conveyed along the transport path to be cross-cut in the width direction of the glass ribbon. Disconnecting the glass ribbon that has been transported along the transport path along the transverse cutting line to cut the glass sheet from the glass ribbon; and using the hemming unit to break the glass sheet that is transported along the transport path along the vertical cutting line, The edge portion is separated from the product portion of the glass sheet; and the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon being conveyed along the transport path is detected, and the position of the hemming unit is changed in accordance with the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon. Variety.

According to this aspect, the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon is detected, and the position at which the hemming unit is placed changes in accordance with the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon. Thereby, even when the glass ribbon is twisted and/or the width is changed, the hemming unit can always be placed at an appropriate position, so that a stable hemming operation can be performed. As a result, a high quality glass plate can be produced. Further, the conveying speed of the glass ribbon can be increased as compared with the case of controlling the glass ribbon, so that the productivity of the glass sheet can be improved.

The ninth aspect is the glass sheet manufacturing method according to the eighth aspect, wherein the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon is moved by detecting the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon in the width direction of the glass ribbon. Detection.

According to this aspect, the detecting unit is moved in the width direction of the glass ribbon to detect the glass The end position of the belt in the width direction. Thereby, the position of the end of the glass ribbon can be detected in the entire width direction of the conveyance path, and the change in the width and/or the width of the glass ribbon can be easily detected.

The tenth aspect is a glass plate manufacturing method according to the ninth aspect, wherein the transverse cutting line moves the cutter in the width direction of the glass ribbon, and the end position of the glass ribbon in the width direction is such that the detecting unit and the cutting The device moves together to detect.

According to this aspect, the detecting unit is moved together with the cutter for processing the transverse cutting line to detect the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon. Thereby, the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon can be efficiently detected.

The eleventh aspect is the glass plate manufacturing method according to the tenth aspect, wherein the guide member that guides the cutter to land on the glass ribbon is provided, and the guide is adjusted in such a manner that the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon changes. The position of the lead member.

According to this aspect, the guiding member that guides the cutter to the glass ribbon is provided, and the setting position of the guiding member is adjusted so that the cutter is always landed to the fixed landing point. Thereby, the damage to the glass ribbon can be alleviated, and a high-quality glass plate without damage can be manufactured. Further, in the side portion having the unevenness, the cutter moves on the guiding member, so that the cutter can be prevented from being damaged.

The twelfth aspect is the glass sheet manufacturing method according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the cutter that detects one of the width directions from the glass ribbon toward the other side reaches the one side and passes through the one side, and if the cutter arrives When the one side is used, the pressing force of the cutter is controlled so that the pressing force of the cutter becomes the first pressing force, and if the cutter passes through the one side, the pressing force of the cutter becomes stronger than the first pressing force. The second pressing force controls the pressing force of the cutter.

According to this aspect, when the cutter moves in the width direction of the glass ribbon to process the horizontal cutting line, it is detected whether or not the cutter has reached the one side (the side on which the cutting side is started) and whether or not the side portion has passed. Then, the pressing force of the cutter is controlled based on the detection result. borrow Therefore, the damage to the glass ribbon can be reduced, and the cutter can be prevented from being damaged.

The thirteenth aspect is the glass sheet manufacturing method according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the processing start point and the processing end point of the transverse cutting line processed by the cutter are changed in accordance with the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon.

According to this aspect, the machining start point and the machining end point of the transverse cutting line processed by the cutter change in accordance with the change in the width and/or the width of the glass ribbon.

According to the present invention, even when the conveying speed of the glass ribbon is increased, the hemming operation can be appropriately performed, and a high-quality glass sheet can be produced.

1‧‧‧glass ribbon

1A‧‧‧Products Department of Glass Belt

1B‧‧‧edge of the glass ribbon

2‧‧‧glass plate

2A‧‧‧Products of Glass Sheets

2B‧‧‧edge of glass plate

10‧‧‧ glass plate manufacturing equipment

20‧‧‧Roller conveyor (transport unit)

22‧‧‧ Roll

30‧‧‧Vertical cutting line processing device (longitudinal cutting line processing unit)

32‧‧‧Cutter

40‧‧‧Transverse cutting line processing device (transverse cutting line processing unit)

42‧‧‧Frame

42A‧‧‧ pillar

42B‧‧‧ beams

44‧‧‧Cutter drive unit

44A‧‧‧ horizontal drive unit

44B‧‧‧Vertical drive unit

46‧‧‧Cutter

48‧‧‧Cutter guide unit

50‧‧‧Cutter detection unit (cutter detection unit)

51‧‧‧ Track

52‧‧‧stage

52A‧‧‧Slider

54‧‧‧Linear motor

56‧‧‧ cylinder

58‧‧‧Cutter bracket

60‧‧‧Help board

62‧‧‧Assistance plate position adjustment mechanism (guide member position adjustment unit)

64‧‧‧Travel plate guide (support unit)

64A‧‧‧Guide axis

64B‧‧‧ bearing

64C‧‧‧stops

66‧‧‧roll (abutment member)

68‧‧‧Connected components

70‧‧‧Spring (pushing unit)

72‧‧‧ bearing components

74‧‧‧1st cutter detection sensor (1st cutter detection unit)

76‧‧‧2nd cutter detection sensor (2nd cutter detection unit)

78‧‧‧Sensor installation frame

78A‧‧‧Sensor Installation Department

78B‧‧‧Support Department

80‧‧‧ transverse breaking device

90‧‧‧Folding device

92‧‧‧Folding part (Folding unit)

94‧‧‧ Position adjustment unit (position adjustment unit)

96‧‧‧Mobile stage

98‧‧‧ Swing frame

98A‧‧‧Swing arm

98B‧‧‧Support Framework

98C‧‧‧ upper arm

98D‧‧‧ Lower arm

98E‧‧‧Rotary axis

100‧‧‧Support roll

102‧‧‧ Pressing protrusions

104‧‧‧Motor

106‧‧‧ pillar

110‧‧‧Base

112‧‧‧ Track

114‧‧‧ Slider

116‧‧‧ screw

118‧‧‧ Nuts

120‧‧‧Motor

122‧‧‧ bearing

130‧‧‧ position detector (detection unit)

140‧‧‧ Controller (control unit, cutter processing range setting unit)

170‧‧‧Folding device

172‧‧‧Folding unit

174‧‧‧Mobile stage

176‧‧‧Swing arm

176A‧‧‧Rotary axis

178‧‧‧Support roll

180‧‧‧ pillar

190‧‧‧Folding device

192‧‧‧ Pressing mechanism

194‧‧‧ Pressing members

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, t‧‧‧ arrows

L1‧‧‧ longitudinal cutting line

L2‧‧‧ transverse cutting line

T‧‧‧Moving track

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a glass sheet manufacturing apparatus.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the transverse cutting line processing apparatus.

Figure 3 is a front view of the transverse cutting line processing apparatus.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the cutter guide unit.

Figure 5 is a front view of the cutter guide unit.

Fig. 6(A) is a front view of the hemming device (when in standby), and (B) is a front view of the hemming device (during the hemming operation).

Figure 7 is a side view of the hemming device.

Fig. 8 is a front view showing a first modification of the hemming device.

Fig. 9 is a front view showing a second modification of the hemming device.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<<Composition of glass plate manufacturing equipment>>

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a glass sheet manufacturing apparatus.

The glass sheet manufacturing apparatus 10 is configured as a device that cuts the glass ribbon 1 continuously conveyed in the longitudinal direction to produce a glass sheet as a product or a semi-finished product. Especially this form The glass plate manufacturing apparatus 10 is configured as a device for manufacturing a thin glass plate for a display device such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display, and one side of the glass plate is 1000 mm or more, and the plate thickness is 1 mm or less, preferably 0.7 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 mm or less, and most preferably 0.3 mm or less.

The glass ribbon 1 includes a product portion 1A located at the center in the width direction and a side portion 1B located on both sides in the width direction of the product portion 1A. The product portion 1A has a uniform plate thickness, and the side portion 2B has a non-uniform plate thickness.

The glass ribbon 1 is produced by a general glass ribbon manufacturing method such as a float method or a melting method, and is continuously conveyed to the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 1 . For example, in a glass ribbon manufactured by a floating method, a glass ribbon continuously drawn from a floating kiln and cooled in a cold kiln is transferred to the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 1 .

As shown in Fig. 1, the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus 10 is configured to include a roller conveyor (transport unit) 20 that transports the glass ribbon 1 and the glass sheet 2 cut from the glass ribbon 1; A processing device (longitudinal cutting line processing unit) 30 that processes the vertical cutting line L1 and the horizontal cutting line processing device (transverse cutting line processing unit) 40 for the glass ribbon 1 conveyed by the roller conveyor 20 The glass ribbon 1 conveyed by the roller conveyor 20 is processed into a transverse cutting line L2; the transverse breaking device 80 is configured to break the glass ribbon 1 conveyed by the roller conveyor 20 along the transverse cutting line L2 from the glass ribbon 1 cutting the glass sheet 2; a folding device 90 which breaks the side portion 2B of the glass sheet 2 conveyed by the roller conveyor 20 along the vertical cutting line L1, and the side portion 2B from the product portion of the glass sheet 2. 2A separation; a position detector (detection unit) 130 that detects both end portions in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1 conveyed by the roller conveyor 20; and a controller (control unit) 140 that integrally controls the glass plate The overall operation of the manufacturing apparatus 10.

<Roll conveyor>

The roller conveyor 20 has a conveyance path extending in the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon 1, and conveys the glass ribbon 1 along the conveyance path in the longitudinal direction. Moreover, the glass plate 2 cut out from the glass ribbon 1 is conveyed.

Further, in Fig. 1, the direction indicated by the arrow A is the conveying direction of the glass ribbon 1 and the glass sheet 2. As shown in the figure, the glass ribbon 1 and the glass sheet 2 are linearly conveyed along the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon 1.

The roller conveyor 20 is composed of a plurality of rollers 22 arranged at regular intervals along the conveyance path. The roller 22 is driven to rotate by a rotation driving unit (not shown). The glass ribbon 1 and the glass plate 2 are placed on the rotating roller 22 and are horizontally conveyed on the same straight line.

<Vertical cutting line processing device>

The vertical cutting line processing device 30 processes the vertical cutting line L1 in the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon 1 on both edges of the glass ribbon 1 with respect to the glass ribbon 1 conveyed by the roller conveyor 20. The vertical cutting line L1 is used to separate the scribe lines of the product portion 1A and the side portion 1B, and is located at the boundary between the product portion 1A and the side portion 1B. The glass ribbon 1 is divided into a product portion 1A and a side portion 1B by processing the vertical cutting line L1. Since the side portion 1B exists on both sides of the product portion 1A, the longitudinal cutting line L1 is processed in two pieces.

The vertical cutting line processing device 30 includes a pair of disk-shaped cutters 32. The vertical cutting line processing device 30 processes the vertical cutting line L1 on the glass ribbon 1 by pressing the pair of cutters 32 against the glass ribbon 1.

Each of the cutters 32 is provided to be movable forward and backward in the vertical direction with respect to the main surface of the glass ribbon 1 conveyed by the roller conveyor 20. Further, the cutter 32 is movably provided in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the glass ribbon 1 conveyed by the roller conveyor 20 (the width direction of the glass ribbon 1).

The cutter 32 is brought into contact with the glass ribbon 1 with a predetermined pressing force by conveying the cutters 32 toward the glass ribbon 1. Thereby, the vertical cutting line L1 is processed on the glass ribbon 1.

Moreover, the position of the vertical cutting line L1 is adjusted by adjusting the position of each cutter 32 in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1.

<Horizontal cutting line processing device>

The horizontal cutting line processing device 40 processes the transverse cutting line L2 with respect to the glass ribbon 1 conveyed by the roller conveyor 20. The horizontal cutting line L2 is used to cut the scribe line of the glass plate 2 from the glass ribbon 1, and the bit The boundary between the front and rear glass plates 2.

2 and 3 are a plan view and a front view, respectively, of the transverse cutting line processing apparatus.

The horizontal cutting line processing device 40 includes a frame 42, a cutter driving unit 44 provided in the frame 42, a cutter 46, a cutter guiding unit 48, and a cutter detecting unit 50. The horizontal cutting line processing device 40 processes the glass ribbon 1 with the transverse cutting line L2 by moving the cutter 46 from one end portion of the glass ribbon 1 toward the other end portion by the cutter driving unit 44.

Here, the horizontal cutting line L2 is located in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (transport direction) of the glass ribbon 1. Further, the horizontal cutting line L2 is processed during the conveyance of the glass ribbon 1. Therefore, the cutter 46 is moved obliquely with respect to the conveyance direction of the glass ribbon 1 along the movement locus T shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 2, and the transverse cutting line L2 is processed.

[frame]

The frame 42 has a door shape including a pair of struts 42A and beams 42B. The frame 42 is disposed across the roller conveyor 20. A pair of struts 42A are arranged vertically. The beam 42B is hollow and is horizontally disposed on top of the post 42A. The frame 42 is disposed along the traveling direction of the cutter 46, and is disposed obliquely with respect to the conveying direction of the glass ribbon 1.

[Cutter drive unit]

The cutter driving unit 44 moves the cutter 46 in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1. As described above, the cutter 46 is moved obliquely with respect to the conveyance direction of the glass ribbon 1 to process the horizontal cutting line L2, so that the cutter driving unit 44 drives the cutter 46 to move obliquely with respect to the conveyance direction of the glass ribbon 1. .

The cutter driving unit 44 includes a horizontal driving unit 44A that moves the cutter 46 in the horizontal direction, and a vertical driving unit 44B that moves the cutter 46 forward and backward in the vertical direction with respect to the main surface of the glass ribbon 1.

The horizontal drive unit 44A includes a rail 51, a stage 52 that moves along the rail 51, a linear motor 54 that moves the stage 52, and a sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the stage 52. to make. The track 51 is disposed in parallel with the moving direction of the cutter 46. The rail 51 is laid inside the beam 42B. The stage 52 is slidably provided on the rail 51 via the slider 52A. The linear motor 54 linearly moves the stage 52 along the track 51. Further, the mechanism for moving the stage 52 may include a drive mechanism using a so-called ball screw.

The vertical drive unit 44B includes a cylinder 56 and a cutter holder 58. The vertical drive unit 44B functions as a moving body that moves in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1, and is driven by the horizontal drive unit 44A and moves in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1.

The cylinder 56, which is an example of the cutter advance/retract movement unit, moves the cutter holder 58 forward and backward in the vertical direction with respect to the main surface of the glass ribbon 1. The cylinder 56 is disposed on the stage 52 of the horizontal drive unit 44A.

A cutter holder 58 is provided at the front end of the connecting rod of the cylinder 56. The cutter 46 is rotatably and detachably mounted to the cutter holder 58.

The cutter 46 is driven by the horizontal drive unit 44A and moves in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1. Further, it is driven by the vertical drive unit 44B and moves forward and backward in the vertical direction with respect to the main surface of the glass ribbon 1. The cutter 46 abuts against the glass ribbon 1 by the vertical driving unit 44B, and the end of the cutter 46 from one end side in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1 toward the other side by the horizontal driving unit 44A Moving, the glass ribbon 1 is processed to the transverse cutting line L2.

[Cutter guide unit]

The cutter guiding unit 48 processes the transverse cutting line L2 at a constant self-fixing position, that is, the cutter 46 is always landed to a fixed landing point (the glass ribbon 1 is separated from the one end side of the width direction by a certain distance) The manner of the location guides the movement of the cutter 46.

4 and 5 are a plan view and a front view, respectively, of the cutter guiding unit.

The cutter guiding unit 48 is configured to include a assisting plate 60 as a guiding member that guides the cutter 46 to land on the glass ribbon 1 and a assisting plate position adjusting mechanism (guide member position adjusting unit) 62, which automatically adjusts the set position of the assisting plate 60 in a manner that follows the change in the width and/or width of the glass ribbon 1.

The assisting plate 60 is formed of a plate having a wedge shape in a front view, and has an inclined sliding path on the upper surface portion. At the portion where the cutting is started, the cutter 46 is partially moved over the upper surface of the slip path which is formed as a slope and landed on the glass ribbon 1 (main surface). In this way, the impact of the landing can be mitigated. Further, it is possible to prevent the cutter 46 from moving on the side portion 1B having the unevenness and causing the cutter 46 to be broken.

That is, when the width and/or the width of the glass ribbon 1 is changed, the assisting plate position adjusting mechanism 62 also changes the position of the assisting plate 60 to follow the change of the width and/or width of the glass ribbon 1 so that The horizontal cutting line L2 is always processed from a fixed position. The assisting plate position adjusting mechanism 62 is configured to include a assisting plate guide 64 that supports the assisting plate 60 in a moving direction in the moving direction of the cutter 46; a roller (abutting member) 66, It abuts against the end face of the glass ribbon 1, a coupling member 68 that connects the assisting plate 60 with the roller 66, and a spring (pushing unit) 70 that pushes the roller 66 toward the glass ribbon 1.

The assisting plate guide (support unit) 64 includes a guide shaft 64A and a bearing 64B that movably supports the guide shaft 64A in the axial direction.

The bearing 64B is mounted on the post 42A on one side of the frame 42. The guide shaft 64A is disposed along the moving side of the cutter 46. The assisting plate 60 is attached to the front end of the guide shaft 64A. Thereby, the assisting plate 60 can be supported to be movable in the moving direction of the cutter 46.

The roller 66 has a disk shape and is rotatably supported by the bearing member 72. The roller 66 is disposed such that its rotation axis is orthogonal to the glass ribbon 1, and is disposed such that the end surface of the glass ribbon 1 in the width direction abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the roller.

The coupling member 68 connects the assisting plate 60 with the bearing member 72 of the roller 66. Thereby, the roller 66 can be movably supported along the moving direction of the cutter 46 together with the assisting plate 60.

The spring 70 is provided on the guide shaft 64A. One end of the spring 70 is locked to the bearing 64B of the assisting plate guide 64, and the other end is locked to the stopper 64C provided on the guide shaft 64A. Thereby, the guide shaft 64A is pressed toward the glass ribbon 1. Since the roller 66 is coupled to the guide shaft 64A, the roller 66 is pressed toward the glass ribbon 1 by pressing the guide shaft 64A toward the glass ribbon 1.

By pressing the roller 66 toward the glass ribbon 1, the outer peripheral surface of the roller 66 is always in contact with the end surface of the glass ribbon 1 in the width direction. Thereby, the roller 66 is displaced following the change in the width and/or width of the glass ribbon 1. Moreover, the roller 66 is displaced by following the change in the width and/or width of the glass ribbon 1, so that the assisting plate 60 coupled to the roller 66 also follows the change in the width and/or width of the glass ribbon 1. Bit.

[Cutter detection unit]

The cutter detecting unit (cutter detecting unit) 50 detects that the cutter 46 that has moved in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1 passes the preset first cutter detecting point and the second cutter detecting point. The first cutter detecting point is disposed on one side of the glass ribbon 1 at the side 1B of the glass ribbon 1 with respect to the traveling direction of the cutter 46 when the transverse cutting line L2 is processed (the direction of the arrow t in FIG. 2) (the left side of FIG. 2) The side of the cutting side of the horizontal cutting line L2 on the cutting side is on the upstream side. Further, the second cutter detection point is set on the downstream side of the one side portion 1B of the glass ribbon 1. That is, the cutter detecting unit 50 detects that the cutter 46 has reached the one side portion 1B by detecting that the cutter 46 has passed the first cutter detecting point, and detects that the cutter 46 has passed the second cutter detecting point. It is detected that the cutter 46 passes through the side portion 1B.

The cutter detecting unit 50 is configured to include a first cutter detecting sensor (first cutter detecting unit) 74 that detects that the cutter 46 has passed the first cutter detecting point; the second cutter detects a sensor (second cutter detecting unit) 76 that detects that the cutter 46 has passed the second cutter detecting point; and a sensor mounting frame 78 that is mounted with the first cutter detecting sensor 74 and the second The cutter detects the sensor 76.

The sensor mounting frame 78 includes a sensor mounting portion 78A on which the first cutter detecting sensor 74 and the second cutter detecting sensor 76 are mounted, and a supporting portion 78B that supports the sensor mounting portion 78A. Composition.

The sensor mounting portion 78A has a rod shape and is horizontally disposed along the moving direction of the cutter 46. One end of the sensor mounting portion 78A includes a first mounting portion (not shown) for mounting the first cutter detecting sensor 74. Also, at the other end of the sensor mounting portion 78A, A second mounting portion (not shown) for mounting the second cutter detecting sensor 76 is included. The first mounting portion includes a position adjusting mechanism (not shown) for adjusting the installation position of the first cutter detecting sensor 74. Further, the second mounting portion includes a position adjusting mechanism (not shown) for adjusting the installation position of the second cutter detecting sensor 76.

The support portion 78B is attached to the guide shaft 64A of the assisting plate 60. The cutter detecting unit 50 is coupled to the assisting plate 60 by attaching the support portion 78B to the guide shaft 64A. Thereby, the cutter detecting unit 50 and the assisting plate 60 are displaced along with the change in the width and/or width of the glass ribbon 1.

The first cutter detecting sensor 74 detects that the cutter 46 has passed the first cutter detecting point. The second cutter detecting sensor 76 detects that the cutter 46 has passed the second cutter detecting point. The cutter holder 58 includes a sample (not shown) detectable by the first cutter detecting sensor 74 and the second cutter detecting sensor 76. The first cutter detecting sensor 74 detects that the cutter 46 has passed the first cutter detecting point by detecting the detecting body. Further, the second cutter detecting sensor 76 detects that the cutter 46 has passed the second cutter detecting point by detecting the detecting body.

Furthermore, for such a sensor, for example, a proximity sensor or a photoinductor can be used.

The cutter detecting unit 50 configured as described above is coupled to the assisting plate 60, and thus is displaced along with the shifting plate 60 following the change in the width and/or width of the glass ribbon 1. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the glass ribbon 1 and the first cutter detecting sensor 74 and the second cutter detecting sensor 76 is always fixed. Thereby, even when the glass ribbon is changed and/or the width is changed, it is possible to always detect that the cutter 46 has reached the one side portion 1B of the glass ribbon 1, and has passed through the one side portion 1B.

The controller 140 functions as a cutter pressing force control unit that controls the driving of the cylinder 56 based on the outputs from the first cutter detecting sensor 74 and the second cutter detecting sensor 76, and controls the machining horizontally. The pressing force of the cutter 46 when the line L2 is cut. The press The control of the force is performed as follows.

[Control method of pressing force of cutter with processing of transverse cutting line]

The cutter 46 moves between the preset movement start point and the movement end point, and processes the transverse tape L2 to the glass ribbon 1 during the movement from the movement start point to the movement end point.

The movement start point and the movement end point are respectively set at positions on the outer side in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1 conveyed on the roller conveyor 20.

At the position of the movement start point and the movement end point, the cutter 46 is located at a predetermined reference height. The position of the reference height is set at a position where the cutter 46 does not abut against the main surface of the glass ribbon 1 conveyed on the roller conveyor 20.

First, the cutter 46 starts moving from the movement start point to the movement end point.

The cutter 46 that starts moving first detects the point through the first cutter. When the cutter 46 passes the first cutter detection point, the first cutter detection sensor 74 detects the sample (not shown). Thereby, it is detected that the cutter 46 has passed the first cutter detection point, that is, has reached the one side portion 1B.

When it is detected that the cutter 46 has passed the first cutter detection point, the controller 140 drives the cylinder 56 to press the cutter 46 downward (to move it downward). The cutter 46 moves downward while moving in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1, and is landed on the assisting plate 60 at a specific pressing force (first pressing force).

The cutter 46 that has landed on the assisting plate 60 moves directly onto the assisting plate 60 and land on the side portion 1B. Thereby, the horizontal cutting line L2 is processed to the side portion 1B.

The cutter 46 that has landed on the side portion 1B directly moves toward the movement end point, and finally passes the second cutter to detect the point. When the cutter 46 passes the second cutter detection point, the second cutter detection sensor 76 detects the sample (not shown). Thereby, it is detected that the cutter 46 passes the second cutter detection point, that is, passes through the side portion 1B.

If the second cutter detecting sensor 76 detects the passage of the cutter 46, then control The heater 140 drives the cylinder 56 to increase the pressing force of the cutter 46. Thereby, the cutter 46 is pressed against the glass ribbon 1 by a pressing force (second pressing force) which is stronger than the pressing force (first pressing force) when the assisting plate 60 is lowered, and the glass ribbon 1 is processed horizontally. Cut line L2.

The cutter 46 is lifted (lifted to the reference position in the height direction) before reaching the end of the glass ribbon 1 and reaches the end point of the movement. Thereafter, the cutter 46 is restored to the movement start point.

As described above, the cutter 46 is dropped onto the assisting plate 60 with a relatively weak pressing force, and thereafter, the glass ribbon 1 is processed to the transverse cutting line L2 by increasing the pressing force.

Further, as described above, the cutter 46 is lifted from the glass ribbon 1 before reaching the end of the glass ribbon 1. That is, the timing of the lift cutter 46 is also controlled in conjunction with the change in the width and/or width of the glass ribbon 1.

A third cutter detecting unit that detects the cutter 46 is provided at the right end portion of the glass ribbon of the beam 42B (above the right side of the glass ribbon 1 of FIG. 3, for example, above the right side portion 1B). When the third cutter detecting unit detects the cutter 46, the cutter 46 is lifted by the cylinder 56. That is, the cutter 46 is set such that the cutter 46 moves a fixed distance after passing through the second cutter detection point, and is lifted when the cutter 46 is detected by the third cutter detecting unit. Thereby, the cutter 46 can be prevented from moving to the area where the glass ribbon 1 is not present, causing the cutter 46 to be broken.

<Horizontal breaking device>

The horizontal breaking device 80 applies bending stress to the glass ribbon 1 conveyed by the roller conveyor 20, and breaks the glass ribbon 1 along the transverse cutting line L2.

The horizontal breaking device 80 presses the glass ribbon 1 from below the glass ribbon 1 by a pressing roller (not shown), and causes bending stress in the conveying direction around the horizontal cutting line L2, and is broken along the transverse cutting line L2. Glass belt 1. Thereby, the glass plate 2 is cut out from the glass ribbon 1.

The glass plate 2 cut from the glass ribbon 1 is conveyed in the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon 1 by the roller conveyor 20.

<Folding device>

The hemming device 90 breaks the side portion 2B of the glass sheet 2 cut from the glass ribbon 1 along the vertical cutting line L1, and the side portion 2B is separated from the product portion 2A of the glass sheet 2.

Fig. 6 is a front view of the hemming device, and Fig. 6(A) is a front view at the time of standby, and Fig. 6(B) is a front view at the time of the hemming operation. Figure 7 is a side view of the hemming device.

The hemming device 90 includes a hemming portion (hem portion unit) 92 that performs a hemming operation on the glass sheet 2, and a position adjusting portion (position adjusting unit) 94 that adjusts the position of the hemming portion 92.

The hemming portion 92 includes a moving stage 96, a swing frame 98 provided on the moving stage 96, a support roller 100 provided on the swing frame 98, a pressing protrusion 102 provided on the swing frame 98, and a swinging frame 98. The motor 104 is constructed.

The moving stage 96 is supported by the position adjusting unit 94 described below so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the glass sheet 2. The mobile stage 96 includes a post 106 for supporting the swing frame 98.

The swing frame 98 includes a swing arm 98A, a support frame 98B, an upper arm 98C, and a lower arm 98D. The swing arm 98A includes a rotating shaft 98E at the base end portion. The rotating shaft 98E is horizontally disposed along the conveying direction of the glass sheet 2, and is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided on the support 106. The support frame 98B is provided at the front end of the swing arm 98A. The upper arm 98C and the lower arm 98D are provided on the support frame 98B. The upper arm 98C and the lower arm 98D are arranged in parallel with each other, and the support frame 98B, the upper arm 98C, and the lower arm 98D are formed in a U shape as a whole. The swing frame 98 swings around the rotation shaft 98E.

The support roller 100 functions as a unit that supports the side portion 2B of the glass sheet 2. The support roller 100 is provided on the lower arm 98D of the swing frame 98, and is rotatably supported in the conveyance direction of the glass plate 2.

When the pressing protrusion 102 breaks the side portion 2B of the glass sheet 2, it functions as a pressing member that presses the side portion 2B from the upper side. The pressing protrusion 102 has a hemispherical shape and is provided on the upper arm 98C of the swing frame 98.

The motor 104 is provided on the support post 106 and is rotatably coupled to the rotary shaft 98E. The motor 104 can be constructed in a forward and reverse rotation. The rotating shaft 98E performs forward and reverse rotation by driving the motor 104. Thereby, the swing frame 98 is swung. Further, in Fig. 6(A), the direction indicated by the arrow B-C is the swinging direction of the assisting frame 98.

The swing frame 98 is swung to move between the "standby position" and the "break position".

When the swing frame 98 is at the standby position, the upper arm 98C and the lower arm 98D are held in a horizontal posture as shown in FIG. 6(A). In this state, the height of the upper end portion of the support roller 100 provided on the lower arm 98D is the same as the height of the upper end portion of the roller 22 of the roller conveyor 20. Thereby, the side portion 2B of the glass sheet 2 conveyed by the roller conveyor 20 can be supported by the support roller 100.

On the other hand, when the swing frame 98 is located at the break position, as shown in FIG. 6(B), the swing frame 98 is inclined downward. The pressing protrusion 102 provided in the upper arm 98C abuts against the side portion 2B of the glass sheet 2 during the swing from the horizontal position to the breaking position, and presses the side portion 2B toward the lower side (the direction indicated by the arrow C). Thereby, a bending stress acts on the side portion 2B, and the side portion 2B is broken along the vertical cutting line L1.

Further, as described above, the side portion 2B of the glass sheet 2 is supported by the support roller 100 at the installation portion of the hemming device 90. Therefore, the installation portion of the hemming device 90 is configured such that the width of the roller conveyor 20 is set to be narrower than the width of the roller conveyor 20 that conveys the glass ribbon, and only the product portion 2A of the glass plate 2 is set. It is placed on the roller 22.

The position adjusting unit 94 includes a base 110, a rail 112, a slider 114, a screw 116, a nut 118 screwed to the screw 116, and a motor 120 that rotates the screw 116.

The base 110 is fixed to a fixed position and is provided.

The track 112 is laid on the base 110. The rail 112 is disposed along a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the glass sheet 2 conveyed by the roller conveyor 20.

The slider 114 is slidably disposed on the rail 112. The moving stage 96 is mounted on the slider 114. Thereby, the moving stage 96 can be moved in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the glass sheet 2. The ground is supported.

The screw 116 is disposed along the track 112. The screw 116 is rotatably supported at both ends by a bearing 122 provided on the base 110.

The nut 118 is screwed to the screw 116. The nut 118 is fixed to the moving stage 96. As a result, when the screw 116 is rotated, the moving stage 96 moves in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the glass sheet 2 in accordance with the amount of rotation of the screw and the direction of rotation.

The motor 120 is disposed on the base 110 and is rotatably coupled to the screw 116.

When the motor 120 is driven, the screw 116 rotates. Thereby, the moving stage 96 moves in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the glass plate 2. Then, by the movement of the moving stage 96, the hemming portion 92 is moved in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the glass sheet 2, and the installation position is adjusted.

<Location Detector>

The position detector 130 detects the positions of both end portions in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1 conveyed by the roller conveyor 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the position detector 130 is provided in the cutter holder 58, and detects the positions of both end portions in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1 by moving along the width direction of the glass ribbon 1 together with the cutter 46. Specifically, the presence or absence of the glass ribbon 1 is detected, and the positions of both end portions of the glass ribbon 1 are detected. That is, the glass ribbon 1 is detected at a certain point by moving along the width direction of the glass ribbon 1 together with the cutter 46, and the glass ribbon 1 is not detected at a certain position, so that the position at which the glass ribbon 1 is detected is started. The position of both ends in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1 is detected by detecting the position where the glass ribbon 1 is not detected.

Such a position detector 130 can be configured, for example, using a well-known optical sensor such as a laser shift meter.

<controller>

The controller 140 integrally controls the overall operation of the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus 10. That is, the controller 140 controls the operations of the roller conveyor 20, the vertical cutting line processing device 30, the transverse cutting line processing device 40, the transverse breaking device 80, and the hemming device 90.

In particular, the hemming device 90 controls the position adjusting portion 94 based on the positional information of the both end portions in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1 obtained from the position detector 130, so that the position of the hemming portion 92 follows the glass ribbon 1.蜒 and / or width changes.

<<Method for manufacturing glass plate for glass plate manufacturing device>>

As described above, the glass ribbon 1 is produced by a general glass ribbon manufacturing method such as a float method or a melting method, and is continuously fed to the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus 10.

The glass ribbon 1 fed to the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus 10 is horizontally conveyed in the longitudinal direction by the roller conveyor 20.

The glass ribbon 1 firstly processes the vertical cutting line L1 at both edge portions in the width direction by the vertical cutting line processing device 30. That is, the cutter 32 is pressed to abut against the boundary between the product portion 1A and the side portion 1B. Thereby, the vertical cutting line L1 is continuously processed in the longitudinal direction.

Next, the transverse tape L2 is processed by the transverse cutting line processing device 40 for the glass ribbon 1 on which the vertical cutting line L1 is processed.

The transverse cutting line L2 is located at a boundary before and after the glass sheet 2 cut from the glass ribbon 1. The horizontal cutting line processing device 40 moves the cutter 46 obliquely with respect to the glass ribbon 1 conveyed by the roller conveyor 20, and presses the obliquely moved cutter 46 against the glass ribbon 1, for the glass ribbon 1 The horizontal cutting line L2 is processed.

The controller 140 controls the cutter driving unit 44 in such a manner as to process the transverse cutting line L2 at predetermined intervals, and controls the movement of the cutter 46.

Here, the cutter 46 guides the movement by the assisting plate 60 at the portion where the cutting is started. In other words, the sheet is moved to the glass ribbon 1 on the assisting plate 60 which is formed as a slope, and the processing of the horizontal cutting line L2 is started. In this way, the impact of the landing can be mitigated. Further, it is possible to prevent the cutter 46 from moving on the side portion 1B having the unevenness and causing the cutter 46 to be broken.

Further, the cutter 46 is landed on the assisting plate 60 with a relatively weak pressing force, and thereafter, the pressing force is controlled in such a manner that the pressing line L2 is processed by increasing the pressing force. This also prevents damage to the glass ribbon.

The assisting plate 60 that guides the landing of the cutter 46 is displaced by the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1 by the assisting plate position adjusting mechanism 62. Therefore, even when the glass ribbon has a width and/or a width change, the assisting plate 60 is always disposed at a fixed position from the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1. Thereby, the horizontal cutting line L2 can be always processed from the fixed position. Moreover, the glass ribbon 1 can be prevented from being damaged.

As described above, the transverse cutting line L2 is processed by the cutter 46 that moves across the glass ribbon 1. When the horizontal cutting line L2 is processed, the position detector 130 detects the positions of both end portions in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1.

Next, the glass ribbon 1 processed with the transverse cutting line L2 is broken along the transverse cutting line L2 by the transverse breaking device 80. Thereby, the glass plate 2 is cut out from the glass ribbon 1.

The glass plate 2 cut from the glass ribbon 1 is directly conveyed horizontally along the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon 1 by the roller conveyor 20. Then, the side portion 2B is separated from the product portion 2A by the hemming device 90 breaking the side portion 2B along the vertical cutting line L1.

Here, in the hemming device 90, as shown in FIG. 6(A), the swing frame 98 is placed at the standby position and stands by. When the glass sheet 2 is conveyed to the hemming device 90, the side portion 2B is supported by the support roller 100, and is disposed between the upper arm 98C and the lower arm 98D. When the glass sheet 2 is conveyed to a specific processing position, the hemming device 90 swings the swing frame 98 as shown in Fig. 6(B). Thereby, the side portion 2B is pressed by the pressing protrusion 102, and the side portion 2B is broken from the product portion 2A.

Here, when the glass ribbon 1 turns and/or the width changes, the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass sheet 2 conveyed on the roller conveyor 20 changes. Then, when the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass sheet 2 changes, the position at which the pressing protrusion 102 abuts changes, and the pressing force cannot be accurately performed. Further, in the worst case, the glass plate 2 comes into contact with the hemming device 90 to break the glass plate 2.

Therefore, the hemming device 90 changes the position at which the hemming portion 92 is placed following the change in the width and/or width of the glass ribbon 1. Specifically, the controller 140 controls the position adjusting unit 94 based on the detection result of the position detector 130 (the position information of the both end portions of the glass ribbon 1), and folds the The position of the side portion 92 is changed in accordance with the positional change of both end portions in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1. Thereby, the hemming operation can always be performed at a precise position, thereby preventing breakage of the manufactured glass sheet.

A glass plate is produced using the above series of steps. The product portion 2A in which the side portion 2B has been separated is directly conveyed to the specific branch portion (accommodating portion) by the roller conveyor 20. Then, the branch is housed on a pallet or the like piece by piece, and cut into a plate-shaped product or a semi-finished product.

As described above, according to the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the position of the folded portion 92 of the hemming device 90 changes in accordance with the change in the width and/or the width of the glass ribbon 1, so that it can always be accurate. The position is hemmed. Thereby, the damage of the manufactured glass plate can be effectively prevented.

Further, in the horizontal cutting line processing device 40 for processing the horizontal cutting line L2, the assisting plate 60 that guides the cutter 46 that has processed the horizontal cutting line L2 follows the ridge and/or width of the glass ribbon 1. Shifted by change. Thereby, the horizontal cutting line L2 can be stably processed, and the damage of the glass ribbon 1 can be effectively prevented.

Further, since the position of the processing apparatus side is controlled without controlling the glass ribbon 1, it is possible to cope with the case where the conveying speed of the glass ribbon 1 is increased, and productivity can be improved.

<<Changes>> <Changes in the assisting plate position adjustment mechanism>

The assisting plate position adjusting mechanism of this example is different from the above embodiment in that it is a non-contact mechanism with the end surface of the glass ribbon 1. The assisting plate adjustment mechanism of the present embodiment includes: a measuring unit that is disposed on an end portion of at least one of the width directions of the glass ribbon 1 (the side on which the assisting plate 60 is disposed), and measures the end surface position of the glass ribbon 1; And a moving unit that moves the assisting plate 60 in accordance with the position of the end face of the glass ribbon 1 measured.

The type of the above-described measuring unit is not particularly limited as long as it can measure the position of the end surface of the glass ribbon 1 in a non-contact manner, and a laser sensor can be exemplified. About the above determination The installation portion of the unit is not particularly limited as long as it is disposed upstream of the assisting plate 60 in the conveying direction of the glass ribbon 1, and may be the upstream side of the vertical cutting line processing device 30 or the assisting plate. Near 60.

The type of the above-described mobile unit is not particularly limited as long as it can move the assisting plate 60 according to the position of the end surface of the glass ribbon 1, and a servo motor can be exemplified.

In the case of the assisting plate adjusting mechanism in contact with the end surface of the glass ribbon 1, when the end surface of the glass ribbon 1 is broken, the roller 66 comes into contact with the damaged end surface of the glass ribbon 1, so that the glass ribbon 1 is broken or the roller 66 is generated. Damaged. If the transfer plate adjusting mechanism is not in contact with the end surface of the glass ribbon 1, there is no such problem.

<Variation of the hemming device> [First variation]

Fig. 8 is a front view showing a first modification of the hemming device.

The hemming device 170 of this embodiment differs from the hemming device 90 of the above-described embodiment in the configuration of the hemming portion 172. Therefore, only the configuration of the hemming portion 172 will be described here.

As shown in FIG. 8, the hemming portion 172 of this example includes a moving stage 174, a swing arm 176 provided on the moving stage 174, a support roller 178 provided on the swing arm 176, and a motor for swinging the swing arm 176 ( It is not shown).

The moving stage 174 is supported by the position adjusting unit 94 so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the glass sheet 2. A support 180 for supporting the swing arm 176 is provided on the mobile stage 174.

The swing arm 176 includes a rotating shaft 176A at the base end. The rotating shaft 176A is horizontally disposed along the conveying direction of the glass sheet 2, and is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided on the support post 180.

The support roller 178 is configured as a support unit of the side portion 2B, and is provided at a front end portion of the swing arm 176.

The motor is disposed on the post 180 and is rotatablely coupled to the rotating shaft of the swing arm 176 176A. The motor can be constructed in a positive and negative rotation. The rotating shaft 176A is rotated forward and backward by driving the motor. Thereby, the swing arm 176 swings in the swing direction. Further, in Fig. 8, the direction indicated by the arrow D-E is the swinging direction of the swing arm 176.

The swing arm 176 swings to move between the "swing arm standby position" and the "breaking position".

The swing arm 176 is held in a horizontal posture when it is in the swing arm standby position. In this state, the height of the upper end portion of the support roller 178 is the same as the height of the upper end portion of the roller 22 of the roller conveyor 20, and the glass sheet 2 conveyed by the roller conveyor 20 can be supported by the support roller 178. Side 2B.

On the other hand, the swing arm 176 is inclined downward when it is in the broken position. Thereby, the support of the side portion 2B by the support roller 178 is lost.

The hemming device 170 of this example is constructed as above.

In the normal state, the swing arm 176 is located at the swing arm standby position. When the glass sheet 2 is conveyed to the hemming device 170, the side portion 2B is supported by the support roller 178.

The motor is driven when the glass sheet 2 is transported to a specific processing position, and the swing arm 176 is moved to the broken position. Thereby, the support roller 178 is retracted downward (in the direction indicated by the arrow E).

The side portion 2B of the glass sheet 2 is lost by the support roller 178 being retracted downward. When the side portion 2B of the glass sheet 2 loses support, the side portion 2B is deflected by its own weight and is broken along the vertical cutting line L1. That is, the hemming device 170 of this example has a configuration in which the side portion 2B is broken by the self-weight of the side portion 2B.

Further, the position of the hemming portion 172 is controlled so as to follow the change in the width and/or width of the glass ribbon 1, which is the same as the hemming device 90 of the above embodiment.

[Second variation]

Fig. 9 is a front view showing a second modification of the hemming device.

The hemming device 190 of this example is attached to the pressing mechanism 192 of the side portion 2B to which the hemming device 170 of the first modification is attached. Furthermore, in addition to the point where the pressing mechanism 192 is attached, Since the configuration of the hemming device 170 of the first modification is the same, only the configuration of the pressing mechanism 192 will be described here.

The pressing mechanism 192 includes a pressing member 194 that abuts against the upper surface of the side portion 2B and presses the side portion 2B downward (in the direction indicated by an arrow F in FIG. 9); and the driving unit (not shown), the pressing member 194 is moved up and down in the vertical direction.

The pressing member 194 has a plate shape having a fixed width, which is disposed vertically with respect to the main surface of the glass plate 2, and is disposed along the conveying direction of the glass plate 2. Further, the pressing member 194 is disposed so as to be pressed closer to the inner side than the support position of the side portion 2B by the support roller 178.

The drive unit includes, for example, an air cylinder, and moves the pressing member 194 up and down in the vertical direction (the direction indicated by an arrow F-G in Fig. 9). The drive unit is attached to the support post 180 via a bracket (not shown).

The pressing member 194 is driven by the driving unit to move between the "pressing member standby position" and the "pressing position". When the pressing member 194 is moved to the pressing position, the side portion 2B is pressed vertically downward, and when it is moved to the pressing member standby position, it is retracted from the side portion 2B.

The hemming device 190 of this example is constructed as above.

In the normal state, the swing arm 176 is located at the swing arm standby position, and the pressing member 194 is located at the pressing member standby position. When the glass sheet 2 is conveyed to the hemming device 190, the side portion 2B is supported by the support roller 178.

When the glass plate 2 is conveyed to a specific processing position, the motor is driven, and the swing arm 176 is swung in the direction indicated by the arrow E to move to the breaking position. Thereby, the support roller 178 is retracted downward (in the direction indicated by the arrow E). Further, in synchronization with the swing of the swing arm 176, the pressing member 194 is moved vertically downward (in the direction indicated by the arrow F). Thereby, the side portion 2B is pressed by the pressing member 194 and is broken along the vertical cutting line L1.

As described above, in the hemming device 190 of the present embodiment, the pressing portion 194 presses the side portion 2B to be broken. Thereby, the side portion 2B can be more reliably broken.

Further, the position of the hemming portion 172 is controlled so as to follow the change in the width and/or width of the glass ribbon 1, which is the same as the hemming device 90 of the above embodiment.

Further, in the present example, the movement of the pressing member 194 is synchronized with the swing of the swing arm 176, but it is not necessary to synchronize the movement of the pressing member 194 with the swing of the swing arm 176. The pressing member 194 can also be moved later than the swing of the swing arm 176. Further, when the side portion 2B is not broken by its own weight, the pressing member 194 may be moved to break the side portion 2B.

In the present embodiment, the side portion 2B is pressed by a single pressing member 194 having a plate shape. However, a configuration in which a plurality of pressing members are disposed in the conveying direction of the glass sheet 2 to press the side portion 2B may be formed. .

[Other variations]

The hemming device may be configured to be separated from the product portion 2A by adding a bending stress to the side portion 2B, and the configuration thereof is not limited to the above embodiment.

<Changes in Position Detector>

In the above embodiment, the position detector 130 is moved together with the cutter 46, but it may be configured to move the position detector in a single body.

Further, the detection form is not limited to the above embodiment, and other detection forms may be employed. In other words, the position detector only needs to detect the position of the end portion of the glass ribbon 1 in the width direction. For example, a position detector may be provided on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the hemming device.

<Modification of Longitudinal Cutting Line Processing Apparatus>

The vertical cutting line processing device 30 of the above-described embodiment is configured to process only the vertical cutting line for separating the side portions, but may be formed to be processed to further separate the product portion into a plurality of longitudinal cutting lines. Composition. In this case, a cutter for separating the product portion into a plurality of longitudinal cutting lines is additionally prepared.

<Layout>

The glass sheet manufacturing apparatus 10 of the above-described embodiment is configured such that the longitudinal cutting line L1 is processed on the glass ribbon 1 by the vertical cutting line processing device 30, and then the horizontal cutting line processing device 40 is used. The glass ribbon 1 is processed into the horizontal cutting line L2, but may be formed by processing the transverse cutting line L2 on the glass ribbon 1 by the transverse cutting line processing device 40, and then cutting the vertical cutting line. The processing apparatus 30 processes the longitudinal cutting line L1 with respect to the glass ribbon 1.

<Processing control of cutting the cutting line with a cutter>

The processing control for processing the transverse cutting line L2 by the cutter 46 can also be performed using information from the position detector 130. That is, since the position detector 130 can detect the positions of both end portions in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1, the point of the lower press cutter 46 (processing start point) is set by the information detected by the position detector 130, and The point of the cutter 46 (processing end point) is raised, and the processing of the transverse cutting line L2 is performed.

Here, the starting point of the processing, that is, the point at which the cutter 46 is pressed, is set to the inner side in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1, and is moved so that the cutter 46 is landed in conjunction with the change in the width and/or width of the glass ribbon 1. The setting of the position on the shifting plate 60 is set.

The point at which the processing end point is raised by the cutter 46 is also set to the inner side in the width direction of the glass ribbon 1, and is set so as to lift the cutter 46 before passing through the end portion of the glass ribbon 1.

The controller (cutter processing range setting unit) 140 sets the point (machining start point) of the lower pressing cutter 46 and the point at which the cutter 46 is lifted (processing end point) based on the information obtained from the position detector 130. Thereby, the processing range in which the cross-cutting line L2 is processed by the cutter 46 can follow the change in the width and/or the width of the glass ribbon 1, so that the horizontal cutting line L2 can be appropriately processed. Moreover, it is also possible to prevent breakage of the cutter 46.

Further, it is preferable to perform the pressing force control of the cutter 46 also when the processing of the horizontal cutting line L2 is performed by the information from the position detector 130. In this case, the cutter 46 is controlled to increase the pressing force when the certain distance is moved after the start of the processing (after the pressing). Press the pressure. That is, the pressing force is controlled such that the pressing force is increased after passing through the side portion 1B.

The present invention has been described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments of the invention.

The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-251234, filed on Dec.

[Industrial availability]

According to the present invention, even when the conveying speed of the glass ribbon is increased, the hemming operation can be appropriately performed, and a high-quality glass sheet can be produced.

Claims (13)

A glass sheet manufacturing apparatus comprising: a transport unit having a transport path extending in a longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon, transporting the glass ribbon in a longitudinal direction along the transport path, and transporting the glass sheet cut from the glass ribbon; The vertical cutting line processing unit processes the vertical cutting line along the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon in the glass ribbon which is conveyed along the transport path in the width direction of the glass ribbon, and The glass ribbon is divided into a product portion and a side portion by a vertical cutting line, and the transverse cutting line processing unit processes the transverse glass in the width direction of the glass ribbon with respect to the glass ribbon being conveyed along the transport path a horizontal breaking unit that breaks the glass ribbon that is conveyed along the transport path along the transverse cutting line, and cuts the glass sheet from the glass ribbon; and the hemming unit transports along the transport path The glass plate is broken along the longitudinal cutting line, and the side portion is separated from the product portion of the glass plate; and the position adjusting unit is configured to make the folding unit Moving in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the glass sheet to adjust an installation position of the hemming unit; and detecting means for detecting an end position of the glass ribbon in the width direction of the transport along the transport path; and a control unit The position adjusting unit is controlled based on the detection result of the detecting unit so that the position of the hemming unit changes in accordance with the change in the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon. The glass sheet manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transverse cutting line processing unit comprises: a moving body that moves in a width direction of the glass ribbon; a cutter provided on the moving body and pressed against the glass ribbon; wherein the detecting unit is provided on the moving body and moves together with the cutter to detect the glass being conveyed on the transport path The end position of the belt in the width direction. The glass sheet manufacturing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the transverse cutting line processing unit further comprises: a guiding member that guides the cutter to land on the glass ribbon; and a guiding member position adjusting unit that follows the above The installation position of the above-described guide member is adjusted in such a manner that the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon changes. The glass sheet manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the guiding member position adjusting unit comprises: a supporting unit that movably supports the guiding member in a moving direction of the cutter; the abutting member abuts on the above One end surface in the width direction of the glass ribbon; a connecting member that connects the abutting member and the guiding member; and a pressing unit that presses the abutting member toward the glass ribbon. The glass sheet manufacturing apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a cutter advance and retreat moving unit that moves the cutter forward and backward relative to a main surface of the glass ribbon; and a cutter detecting unit that detects the width of the glass ribbon Whether the cutter that moves one of the directions toward the other has reached one of the sides and whether one of the sides has passed; and the cutter presses the pressure control unit when detecting that the cutter has reached one of the sides Controlling the cutter advance and retreat moving unit such that the pressing force of the cutter becomes the first pressing force, and when detecting that the cutter passes In the case of the side portions, the cutter advance/retract movement unit is controlled such that the pressing force of the cutter becomes a second pressing force that is stronger than the first pressing force. The glass sheet manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cutter detecting unit includes: a first cutter detecting unit that detects whether the cutter that has moved from one of the width directions of the glass ribbon toward the other passes the first cutting Detecting a point and detecting whether the cutter has reached one of the sides; and the second cutter detecting unit detects that the cutter that moves from one of the width directions of the glass ribbon to the other passes the second cutter Detecting a point, and detecting that the cutter passes through one of the side portions; and the cutter detecting unit is coupled to the guiding member and moves together with the guiding member. The glass sheet manufacturing apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a cutter processing range setting unit that sets a processing start point and a processing end point of the horizontal cutting line processed by the cutter, the cutting The machining range setting unit is configured such that the machining start point and the machining end point of the transverse cutting line processed by the cutter change in accordance with the positional change of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon, according to the detecting unit The processing result is set to the processing start point and the processing end point of the horizontal cutting line processed by the cutter. A method for producing a glass sheet, comprising the steps of: transporting the glass ribbon in a longitudinal direction in a transport path extending in a longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon, along the glass at both edges of the width direction of the glass ribbon The longitudinal cutting line is processed in the longitudinal direction of the belt, and the glass ribbon is divided into a product portion and a side portion by the vertical cutting line; and the glass ribbon is conveyed in the transport path along the width of the glass ribbon Direction processing transverse cutting line; The glass ribbon conveyed along the transport path is broken along the transverse cutting line to cut the glass sheet from the glass ribbon; and the glass sheet that is transported along the transport path is cut along the slit using a hemming unit The broken line is broken, and the side portion is separated from the product portion of the glass sheet. The glass sheet manufacturing method detects the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon during the conveyance along the transport path, and sets the hemming unit. The position changes in accordance with the change in the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon. The method for producing a glass sheet according to claim 8, wherein the end portion of the glass ribbon in the width direction detects the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon in the width direction of the glass ribbon. The method for producing a glass sheet according to claim 9, wherein the transverse cutting line is formed by moving the cutter in a width direction of the glass ribbon, and the end portion of the glass ribbon in the width direction is such that the detecting unit and the cutting are performed. The device moves together for detection. The method for producing a glass sheet according to claim 10, wherein a guiding member for guiding the cutter to land on the glass ribbon is provided, and the guiding member is adjusted in such a manner as to change a position of an end portion in a width direction of the glass ribbon. Set the location. The glass sheet manufacturing method of claim 11, wherein the cutter that detects one of the width directions of the glass ribbon from moving toward the other side reaches a side portion and passes through one of the side portions, when the cutter is When the one side portion is reached, the pressing force of the cutter is controlled such that the pressing force of the cutter becomes the first pressing force, and when the cutter passes through one of the side portions, the cutter is pressed The pressing force of the cutter is controlled such that the pressure becomes the second pressing force stronger than the first pressing force. The method for producing a glass sheet according to claim 11, wherein the processing start point and the processing end point of the transverse cutting line processed by the cutter are followed by the width of the glass ribbon The processing start point and the processing end point of the horizontal cutting line change in accordance with the change in the position of the end portion in the width direction of the glass ribbon.